Garbage truck driver cited after taking down trolley lines, fleeing scene

MEMPHIS, Tenn — A portion of South Main was blocked off to traffic for several hours Thursday as MLGW repaired trolley lines taken down by a garbage truck overnight.

Police said the garbage truck driver left the rear of his truck up, snagged several power lines, and snapped two light poles in half at South Main and G.E. Patterson.

The driver was gone when officers arrived, but there was trash, glass, and other debris all over the street.

A woman who lives along South Main said she was inside her apartment when she heard a loud bang and the sound of trolley lines being dragged down the street.

Another witness told officers she saw a garbage truck sitting in front of the fire station at South Main and Nettleton and then watched it leave northbound on Main.

MPD said the garbage truck driver later showed up at the traffic office and told them he hit the power lines on South Main.

The driver was issued a citation for failure to maintain a safe lookout. He is scheduled to appear in court on November 26.

MLGW has not said how much it cost to repair all the damage.